The EastAfrican NEWS MAY 23-29,2015 The living conditions of Bu≥undi ≥efugees in Rwanda and Tanzania By DANIEL S NTWARI Special Correspondent ABOUT 250 kilometres from Rwanda’s capital Kigali lies Mahama camp, which is currently hosting over 22,000 Burundian refugees. The camp lies on the Rwanda and Tanzania border, in the Akagera National Park in Kirehe district in Eastern Province. For the refugees, Mahama camp is offering a peaceful haven although there are major challenges concerning their upkeep. The vast green valley terrain is making logistics and distribution of supplies difficult. “We are having problems reg- onstrations and violence a few days after the putsch was thwarted by loyalist forces on Friday, May 15, continuing the wave of anti-government protests that started in April over President Nkurunziza’s disputed bid for a third term in office. Opposition and rights groups say the president, who has been in office since 2005, cannot serve for more than two terms. The president, however, argues his first term did not count as he was elected by parliament, not directly by the people. Much of the international com- munity has warned Burundi against holding the vote, with UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, Said Djinnit saying the escalation of violence could close the door to dialogue. The World Health Organisation says more than 100,000 people have fled to neighbouring Rwanda, Tanzania, DRC and Uganda and more than 20 lives have been lost since the protests broke out last month. Kenya and Tanzania have called on the president to delay the polls until the security situation stabilises, while South Africa and the International Conference on the People have no information on what is going on in the country and the state media remains a tool for the government.” Opposition leader Agathon Rwasa Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), say the elections should be postponed indefinitely. “The elections should be post- poned indefinitely until there is stability‚ which would allow the elections to be free and fair‚“ said South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma in a statement read on behalf of the ICGLR. The opposition said there can be no level playing field as the police and the government-backed imbonerakure militia hunt down individuals suspected of supporting the coup bid, including journalists and civil society activists who played a leading role in organising the Bujumbura protests. Reports further say that the mili- tia has been armed and given police uniforms with a firm brief to flush out opposition supporters. istering for relief supplies, which when we do get them have to be shared out,” said 20 year old, Abdul Ndayiragije. Tharcisse Nukwonabasanze, a father of three, said he last received food supplies three days ago and now has nothing to survive on. “I only received one kilogramme of dry maize and half a kilo of beans. That is not enough, especially because I have children,” he said. Camp officials said that each ref- ugee is expected to receive at least 13kg of maize, 3kg of beans, half a litre of oil and salt each month, while non-food items are distributed according to quantity. “We have tried to explain to the Burundian refugees that the food rations are the standard measure for all refugees in Rwanda. It is only in non-food items where we are compelled to have them share, depending on what we have received,” said Jean Damascene Musoni, the Mahama camp manager. On May 18, the refugees re- ceived boxes of cooking items but the exercise was characterised by confusion. “It is difficult to get listed in or- der to receive supplies. The organisation is very poor and some of us have to find other ways to get supplies,” said Ndayiragije. Water shortage is also a major concern. The camp has had a daily supply of 3.1 cubic metres, which means that each of the refugees gets nine litres daily, while the recommended amount of water is supposed to be at least 20 litres of water daily. “We have to queue and wait from 5am up to 3pm for water,” said Solange Umulisa, mother of a three year-old child. The camp manager said that the water problem will soon be resolved as the number of tanks transporting water have been increased from three to nine and pipelines channelling water to the tents will be built soon — meaning each refugee will get at least 10-15 litres a day. Rwanda may soon be over- whelmed, with the number of Burundian refugees in the country is now nearing its estimated handling capacity. Mr Musoni said there was a Protesters in Bujumbura block a road as they clashed with police. At least 20 people have lost their lives since the protests began. Picture: AFP need to enlarge the refugee camp at Mahama in order to accommo- Burundian refugees at their makeshift camp on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Kigoma Region in western Tanzania. Picture: REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya date more refugees. “The numbers keep increas- ing; every day, we are receiving at least 1,000 refugees. This means we soon have to start looking for more space and expand the camp,” he said. The increasing number of Burun- dian refugees could also soon cause a bigger humanitarian crisis, which Rwanda may not be able to handle; the government said that it will have to seek support from global humanitarian aid organisations. In its contingency plan, in April, Rwanda’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs had planned to house at least 50,000 Burundian refugees. As of May 20, the number had reached 27,032, which is above half the estimated number for the past two months. Jean Claude Rwahama, the di- rector of the Refugee affairs Unit at Midimar said that Rwanda so far has the capacity to handle up to 50,000 refugees, but if the number goesbeyond this limit, the country is likely to call for help. “We are assisting the refugees in various capacities and so far we are really trying to respond to their different needs, but if the number increases beyond the 50,000 capacity, we shall be obliged to seek international support,” Mr Rwahama said. However, Midimar Minister Seraphine Mukantabana said the situation is under control, arguing that assistance in all sectors of intervention like shelter, health, sanitation, food and nutrition is being provided. In Tanzania, where 32,000 Bu- The numbers keep increasing every day and we are receiving at least 1,000 refugees. This means we soon have to start looking for more space and expand the camp.” Mr Musoni, Mahama camp manager rundian refugees are hosted in the Nyarugusu camp and another 5,378 at the Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma municipality, the United Nation’s High Commissioner for Refugees is wary of an influx of more refugees in the coming weeks following presidential elections. Joyce Mends-Cole, UNHCR spokesperson in Tanzania, said, “Some left Kagunga, the main area where refugees were fleeing from and walked to Manyovu. On May 21, we transported 430 from Manyovu and also brought 278 from Ngara area.” Additional reporting by Christopher Kidanka 9